Nanawewje Allen does not have a mosquito net. But her brother does. Many families, due to extreme poverty, are forced to prioritize who will receive both malaria treatment and preventitive devices such as mosquito nets. Those who receive mosquito nets, food and treatment are more likely to survive, and gender and age are often the determining factors when parents make these difficult decisions.
Distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets is underway in many countries. 10's of millions were donated by international aid organizations and net manufacturers last year. But 100's of millions are still desperately needed.
"I get bitten a bunch of times at night. I get sick 5 times a year, I think. When I get sick, I stay in bed. I am not lying in my bed; this is not my mosquito net. I do not have a mosquito net. My brother does, but I don't."
